WE commemorate two special days in June - D-Day and Father's Day. They are linked inexorably, for without our older generations we would not exist.

But my daughter and her five-month-old son, Connor, will be in no mood to celebrate because husband Carl flies to Iraq for an eight-month tour of duty.

Meanwhile, in the twilight zone of Acomb, there is another "son". The difference is that while our Carl is out serving in the Gulf this "Acomb son" is breaking into cars.

He broke into Carl's car in Acomb while he was on embarkation leave on D-Day night, June 6, and stole his CD player and many CDs.

I'll rename D-Day Damage Day because the thief caused about £700 damage to the car door. So now Carl goes to Iraq, leaving his wife and son and a colossal bill for wanton car damage.

I have a message for the culprit: I probably will never know when you get caught, but I know you will be. When you eventually go to prison, just reflect on this: as my son-in-law Carl looks out at night over Iraq, or Kosovo or Afghanistan, and when he calls upon his mates for a kind word of support or just a cigarette, you will be on your lonesome, rotting in some prison cell with only the moon trying to struggle through the bars to comfort you.

T Jones,

Address supplied.

Updated: 10:56 Friday, June 13, 2003